Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2025
Isolation and Culture of Primary Mouse Keratinocytes from Neonatal and Adult Mouse Skin
Published on: July 14, 2017
Relationship Between Degree of Neonatal Physiologic Desquamation and Skin Barrier Function
Kaori Yonezawa1, Megumi Haruna
1Department of Midwifery and Women's Health, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (Drs Yonezawa and Haruna); and Division of Care Innovation, Global Nursing Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (Drs Yonezawa and Haruna).
Background/Objectives:
This study examined the relationship between degree of neonatal physiologic desquamation and skin barrier functionality. In addition, we identified factors associated with neonatal desquamation.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study assessed 4-day-old newborns. The desquamation level was evaluated and placed in one of the following categories based on the severity of the desquamation: no desquamation, a small amount, and severe (including cracked or bleeding). Skin barrier function was assessed by evaluating transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum hydration, skin pH, and sebum secretion.
Results:
Among study participants, 67 (39.9%) showed no desquamation, 82 (48.8%) displayed a small amount, and 19 (11.3%) had severe desquamation. The group with severe desquamation had significantly elevated facial transepidermal water loss levels and reduced levels of stratum corneum hydration throughout the body, indicating skin barrier dysfunction, than other groups. In addition, the group with severe desquamation had a significantly longer gestational age, lower temperature and humidity level, smaller vernix caseosa, and tended to be born during winter.
Conclusions:
To our knowledge, this is the first report indicating that infants with severe desquamation had worsened skin barrier function versus those with moderate and no desquamation. Future research should consider what kind of care should be provided to newborns with severe desquamation.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
01:21Layers of the Epidermis
Stratum Basale
Stratum basale, also known as the stratum germinativum, is the deepest layer of the epidermis. It is composed of a single layer of actively dividing cells called basal cells or basal keratinocytes. These cells constantly undergo cell division to replenish the upper layers of the epidermis. Additionally, melanocytes, which...
01:21Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sebaceous Glands
These glands that produce the oils on the skin and hair are holocrine glands. The mature...
01:24Cells of the Epidermis
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...
01:12Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
01:11Papillary Dermis
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
Papillary Layer
The papillary layer is made of loose, areolar connective tissue, which means the collagen...